Ever since the 1990 National Jewish population survey revealed the extent of assimilation, the American Jewish community has focused on the challenge of passing along Jewish connection and commitment to the next generation. Numerous studies have shown youth benefit from attending sleep-away camps. Jewish sleep-away camps not only help young campers learn valuable life skills,…
B’nai B’rith Camp was named the state’s seventh-best large nonprofit to work for in Oregon Business magazine’s fourth annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon. Winners were revealed Sept. 27 at the Portland Downtown Hilton. “We’re incredibly honored and humbled to have been chosen number seven out of the 100 Best Nonprofits in…
The P’nai Or Community Food Program is a match made in heaven, right here in this world. In the old days of Jewish South Portland, it was told that before every Shabbat a gentleman would fill a bag to be shared with his neighbors. As he went from house to house, residents could either take…
Simon Benson Awards: Portland State University President Wim Wiewel, right, presents one of two Simon Benson Awards to Jordan Schnitzer, who shared the award recognizing philanthropists with his mother, Arlene Schnitzer. The other award recipients, Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin, pose with Diane Keaton, who was the keynote speaker at the Oct. 9 event at…
Free Sephardic film festival begins Nov. 13 The sixth annual Sephardic Winter Film Festival begins Nov. 13 at Congregation Ahavath Achim, 3225 SW Barbur Blvd., Portland. Films are shown at 7 pm the second Tuesday of each month from November to April. The free evenings are followed by refreshments and a speaker. “Since we are…
Nov. 1 Celebrate Jewish Book Month with Lois Leveen, author of The Secrets of Mary Bowser (HarperCollins), a new novel based on the true story of a former slave who became a Union spy. Cosponsored by Shalom Chapter Hadassah, Vancouver, WA. 7-8 pm at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Road, Vancouver. 360-571-9696 Lawyers, Tyranny and the Rule of Law –…
The tradition of leaving gaps in the thatched roof of a sukkah sufficient to allow natural light to pass through makes the week-long harvest festival of Sukkot a natural time to speculate about space and the people who explore it. As my family gazed contentedly at the Portland night sky from our sukkah, the clear…
Judaism reminds judge to listen, wrestle and speak carefully in quest for justice Although religion has no place in legal decisions, Oregon’s only Orthodox appellate judge believes Judaism offers valuable guidance on how to approach the work of pursuing justice. In April Rick T. Haselton became chief judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals, on…
Herbert Schwab inspired many, terrified some and left an impressive legacy both in Oregon law and community service. Among many other achievements, Schwab, who died in 2005, was the first chief judge of Oregon’s Court of Appeals and helped shape and define what is today one of the busiest intermediate appellate courts in the nation….
The innovation and creativity that has flourished in Portland’s Jewish community lately is now attracting national attention. Two Portlanders – Steve Eisenbach-Budner and Sarah Blattner – recently brought home prestigious national awards. Every two years the Joshua Venture Group awards fellowships to social entrepreneurs who have the potential to “transform the Jewish landscape.” In a…
